Hamartia - GCSE English Language Definition

Definition 

Hamartia is a tragic flaw, weakness or error in judgement that brings about the downfall of a hero in literature. It is often the flaw that leads to adversity or destruction for an otherwise noble protagonist. 

Explanation

Hamartia is a literary term, derived from the ancient Greek “to err” or to “miss the mark,” and refers to the weakness or fatal flaw that leads to error and downfall for a character. It is mostly associated with Greek tragedy, bringing a courageous figure to their tragic ending. 

As a concept, it was first described by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed that tragic heroes should have hamartia, as a way of making their stories more believable, engaging and emotionally powerful. 

Hamartia does not need to be a moral weakness, as some heroes may fail due to positive characteristics that are taken too far. A hero can be too trusting for their own good, or so brave that they make foolish and risky decisions. Others may falter due to their commitment to a sense of duty, dying for nobility. 

It becomes a defining feature of a character, somewhat foreshadowing their demise. It is not a small reason, but the main reason that they fail. 

Hamartia makes heroes more relatable for readers, especially when they are otherwise far-fetched characters. To err is human, so readers and viewers engage with heroes as they recognise their flaws as similar to their own. 

It also brings a level of jeopardy to a story. Whilst we see it in literature and it has its origins in ancient Greece, we also see it in modern tales of heroes like James Bond or Marvel superheroes. Perfect characters would be boring and unrealistic. The flaw helps readers understand why terrible things happen to otherwise good people.

Traditionally, hamartia leads to a character’s downfall, especially in classical tragedy. In modern storytelling, it often leads to adversity or suffering, but not necessarily total ruin. It can be overcome, resulting in growth or redemption.

Example

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the protagonist and titular character’s hamartia is his overwhelming ambition. Once his desire for power grows out of control, it becomes his downfall. 

He starts as a brave and loyal soldier, and his ambition is relative and uplifting, but when the witches prophesy that he will become king, Macbeth's ambition takes over. He murders King Duncan to steal the throne. This single act of ambition leads to his complete destruction.

What makes the story work is how his ambition grows from a desire to succeed to a need for success, which ultimately sees him commit murder. His excessive ambition is his hamartia.

It is this flaw that causes every problem for him. His lust for power, a continuing success, leads him to becoming paranoid and violent. His ambition is what made him into a powerful figure, but is inevitably what brings him to destruction. 

Why do writers use hamartia?

Writers use hamartia to give their characters flaws and imperfections, which makes them more relatable. Perfect characters do not make interesting stories. 

Not only does it make the story more interesting, it helps a writer explain why the protagonist fails, and gives them a character trait to feed across their story. This tragic flaw creates tension, building towards the hero’s downfall. Readers can see the character making poor choices because of this weakness. 

Hamartia can also be a tool to teach moral lessons. By showing the consequences of these flaws and character traits, writers can warn their readers about these dangerous behaviours or attitudes, or what happens when we take them too far. 

The concept helps writers explore complex themes about human nature. It suggests that everyone has weaknesses, and that our greatest strengths can sometimes become our biggest problems.

There is also the idea that it helps the reader see a part of themselves in a character, even if that character is far removed from them on many levels. To find a relatable factor in a god or royalty means that readers can sympathise for them, feeling sorry for the tragic hero, and also worry that they have similar flaws themselves. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hamartia always a negative trait?

Not necessarily. Hamartia can be a positive quality that becomes harmful when taken to extremes. For example, loyalty becomes dangerous when someone stays loyal to the wrong person. Courage becomes reckless when someone takes unnecessary risks.

Is hamartia always a character flaw, or can it be just bad luck?

Traditionally, it’s more than bad luck. It involves a character’s choice or trait that contributes to their downfall. Fate often plays a role too, but the hero is usually complicit in their undoing. All characters have flaws, but hamartia is specifically the flaw that causes the tragic hero's downfall. Other character flaws might be annoying or problematic, but they don't directly lead to the character's destruction.

Where does the concept of hamartia come from?

The concept of hamartia originates in Aristotle’s Poetics, one of the earliest works of literary theory in Western tradition. Aristotle used the term while describing the nature of tragedy and the qualities of the ideal tragic hero. According to him, the best tragic protagonist is not entirely good or entirely evil but a fundamentally decent person who suffers a downfall because of a particular mistake or weakness.

Is hamartia the same as hubris?

Hubris is a specific type of hamartia. It means excessive pride or arrogance, especially towards the gods or fate. While hubris is always hamartia, hamartia can be many different traits like jealousy, ambition, or naivety. Hubris is just one possible form of tragic flaw.

Can hamartia exist in modern literature or film?

The idea of hamartia is not confined to ancient Greek tragedy or Shakespearean drama. It appears just as strongly in modern stories. Writers and filmmakers still use the concept to show how a character’s downfall often stems from their own choices, flaws, or blind spots, rather than from random chance. This makes characters feel more human and relatable, because audiences recognize the same flaws within themselves.

Some examples are:

• Mr Birling (An Inspector Calls) – His arrogance, greed, and stubborn refusal to accept responsibility represent a moral hamartia. While he doesn’t literally die, his flaws leave him vulnerable to social criticism and expose the failure of his worldview.

• Macbeth (Macbeth) – His hamartia is his boundless ambition. Spurred on by prophecy and Lady Macbeth’s persuasion, he murders Duncan, seizing the throne but setting himself on the path to paranoia, tyranny, and death.

• Doctor Strange (MCU) – His arrogance and overconfidence in his own abilities push him to take reckless risks. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, his willingness to tamper with reality has disastrous consequences, showing how his flaws create chaos even when his intentions are good.

Related glossaries

Archetype

Protagonist 

Dramatic Irony

Related revision notes

Macbeth Character Analysis

Macbeth Key Theme: Ambition

Macbeth Writer’s Methods and Techniques

Arthur Birling Character Analysis